Senior Basebuilding Program Manager

Position Title: Senior Basebuilding Program Manager

Position Location: Candidates are welcome to apply from across the U.S. Those that are near a Popular Democracy office in DC or Brooklyn may be asked to work from a Popular Democracy office one or two days/week if necessary. Applicants outside of those areas may be required to travel to a Popular Democracy office occasionally.

Popular Democracy is seeking a Senior Basebuiling Program Manager to join the Basebuilding Department.

About Popular Democracy: Popular Democracy works to promote equity, opportunity, and a dynamic democracy in partnership with innovative base-building organizations, organizing networks and alliances, and progressive unions across the country. We work with 50 affiliates in 34 states and DC to build the strength and capacity of democratic organizations that envision and advance a pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial and economic justice agenda. We are a rapidly-expanding, changing organization that partners with organizations across the country to build political power and win tangible victories that improve the lives of low-wage workers, immigrants, and communities of color.

About the Position:

In consultation with the Chief of Basebuilding, this position oversees capacity building assessment, intervention support, and evaluation to strengthen affiliate organizing programs. This work includes direct implementation, coordination, and tracking of affiliate organizing program assessments, in close coordination Basebuilding team leadership, as well as direct capacity building support for Organizing Directors at affiliates.

This role will also coordinate with the Network Engagement and Data and Technology teams to ensure integrated tracking and evaluation of assessment scores and progress, and will facilitate deep integration of this work throughout the Basebuilding and senior staff point teams. The Senior Basebuilding Program Manager will manage and expand Popular Democracy’s library of capacity building resources to support affiliate organizing programs, and may also support the development and testing of new tools and resources. This role requires close collaboration with other teams and individuals, both internal and external to Popular Democracy.

It is expected that the Senior Program Manager will travel and attend in-person trainings, meetings, and actions with Popular Democracy affiliates and partners approximately 3x a month.

We estimate that candidates will have about 10 years of relevant experience, but our review of candidates for this role will focus on whether they can fill the needs of the position, not years of experience.

The Senior Basebuilding Program Manager will report to the Chief of Basebuilding.

Primary Responsibilities:

The Senior Basebuilding Program Manager will:

• Oversee the development and implementation of the Organizing Program Assessment with affiliates, including conducting assessments, implementing needed interventions, and evaluating progress in strengthening affiliate organizing programs.
• Build and cultivate relationships to support the strengthening of affiliate organizing programs.
• Develop, refine, and implement organizing program capacity tools and resources in assigned areas.
• Facilitate data driven collaboration through regular, rigorous coordination and communication with Basebuilding, Network Engagement, Data and Technology, and All Staff teams as needed to maximize collective effectiveness in strengthening affiliate organizing programs.
• Innovate and implement systems to set and track growth in accordance with goals, collaborating with necessary stakeholders.
• Adapt, conduct, and assist in building assessment and intervention tools and resources related to assigned affiliates and campaign priorities.
• Participate in Popular Democracy meetings, events, and cross team work.
• Support internal coordination, alignment, and accountability around organizing methods, campaign methods, and organizing metrics.
• Plan, schedule, and/or attend meetings and conferences, as assigned.
• Assist and/or lead in planning and implementing activities in the Basebuilding department as needed and assigned.
• Support department goals by drafting materials, facilitating meetings, and supporting organizing tactics, as assigned.
• Coordinate work both within the Basebuilding team and across departments to achieve objectives as assigned by supervisor and/or department directors.
• Coordinate the collection and maintenance of data and assist in preparation of reports for Management and funders as assigned.
• Support program fundraising under the direction of Senior Staff by providing background materials and writing routine and prospecting grant proposals and reports, and/or participating in relevant meetings with donors or donor forums.
• Refine, adapt, and execute organizer training, blitzes, and drives.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Significant experience in leading and/or developing organizing programs in a community or labor environment.
• A track record of effectiveness in base-building, campaigning, electoral engagement, staff and member training and leadership development, supervision, building and sustaining coalition and ally relationships.
• Strong project management experience including demonstrated experience in effectively innovating and implementing new systems and processes.
• Experience working collaboratively and effectively across teams in complex, dynamic environments.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships of trust with diverse organizations and partners.
• The ability to communicate effectively to a wide variety of audiences through training and written and verbal communication skills.
• Deep alignment with Popular Democracy’s theory of change and commitment to building strong people’s institutions;
• The ability to travel frequently (up to three times per month ranging from day trips to weeklong site visits) COVID depending;
• A demonstrated commitment to social, racial, and economic justice and a deep understanding of challenges facing low-wage workers, immigrant communities, communities of color, disabled people, LGBTQ+ folks, and people at the intersections of the above communities.

Hiring Process:

Candidates should expect to participate in two rounds of group interviews and a job simulation exercise. Final candidates will be asked to provide references.